California Welfare And Institutions Code Section 7352

The medical director of a state hospital for the mentally disordered may grant a leave of absence to any judicially committed patient, except as provided in Section 7350, under general conditions prescribed by the State Department of Mental Health. The State Department of Mental Health may continue to render services to patients placed on leave of absence prior to July 1, 1969, to the extent such services are authorized by law in effect immediately preceding July 1, 1969.